The 2026 Livestock Summit, taking place in Cournon-d'Auvergne, a town in the Puy-de-Dôme region of France, has begun with a focus on pastoralism, which refers to farming practices that involve raising livestock on open land. The event opened on Monday and will continue until Friday, October 9, attracting around 120,000 visitors, 2,000 animals, and 1,800 exhibitors. A new section called "World of Sustainable Livestock" has expanded this year, covering topics such as pastoralism, animal health, and agricultural machinery, with an additional 10,000 square meters of exhibition space. For the first time, exhibitors have a dedicated field to showcase new products. One of the major highlights of the summit is the sheep sector, which features 600 sheep from 36 different breeds. The Bizet breed, a notable example of the sheep industry, will hold its first national contest on Friday, October 9. The event will include various activities such as breed contests, demonstrations of shearing techniques, and a wool contest. On Thursday, October 8, a day dedicated to the Ovinpiades will be held, aimed at young learners and designed to introduce them to the world of sheep farming through interactive activities. As 2026 has been designated the International Year of Pastoralism, the summit has placed a strong emphasis on this theme. The Pasto Meetings, now in their third edition, will include thirty conferences and a 300-square-meter space dedicated to promoting pastoralism and the routes used by pastoralists. These meetings have an international focus, with invited countries including Colombia, Ivory Coast, Spain, Mongolia, and Sudan. The summit has also extended into the city center of Clermont-Ferrand, a nearby city, with a 3,000-square-meter area on Place de Jaude covered in grass. This area, known as "Pâture," aims to recreate the landscapes of the Massif Central region in miniature and raise awareness about the benefits of ruminant farming, which includes animals like cattle and sheep. A herd of 30 Rava cattle, a breed native to the region, will be present throughout the week, with demonstrations of herding dogs and guided visits by schoolchildren.